Sleeping bag

ABSTRACT

A device for enveloping a sleeper to provide him with protective covering comprising an envelope having an elongated top panel closing off the top of the envelope. A zipper closed slot in the top panel is openable to provide entry into the device. Inflatable bladder structure when inflated functions to hold the top panel at the head end of the envelope elevated from the base of the envelope. Net covered windows provide for the admission of air to the interior of the envelope, and such are opened and closed by flaps which may be manipulated by cords which extend into the interior of the envelope.

[ 51 Feb. 27, 1973 1 SLEEPING BAG [76] Inventor:

Portland, Oreg. 97214 [22] Filed: Nov. 2, 1970 [211 App]. No.: 86,258

David P. Phelan, 3402 SE. Main,

Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Assistant ExaminerAndrew M. Calvert Attorney-Kolisch, Hartwell & Dickinson [5 7] ABSTRACT A device for enveloping a sleeper to provide him with protective covering comprising an envelope having an elongated top panel closing off the top of the envelope. A zipper closed slot in the top panel is openable to provide entry into the device. Inflatable bladder structure when inflated functions to hold the top panel at the head end of the envelope elevated from the base of the envelope. Net covered windows provide for the admission of air to the interior of the envelope, and such are opened and closed by flaps which may be manipulated by cords which extend into the interior of the envelope.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SLEEPING BAG This invention relates to a device for enveloping a sleeper to provide him with protective covering. The device includes elements found in sleeping bags and tents organized in the device to provide a truly unique structure with decided advantages.

A principle object of the invention is to provide a device which affords comfortable protection to an occupant from both the weather as well as insects and small animal life of the type normally encountered when sleeping out.

The device is flexible in usage, and can provide protective covering for a sleeping bag inserted within it during cold weather conditions, as well as providing protection for occupants who may utilize the device with dispensing of a sleeping bag or the like, as might be done during warm weather.

Other objects and advantages will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device showing the same laid out, as it would be laid out on the ground in preparation for use.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the device, with portions broken away to illustrate details of construction.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view, on a somewhat smaller scale, showing the front of the device and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of inflatable bladder structure which may be utilized in elevating a top panel in the device adjacent the head end of the device.

The device that is illustrated in the drawings comprises what is referred to here as an envelope including a base 12 and an elongated top panel 14 joined to the base enclosing off the top of the envelope. Along the opposed side margins of the top panel and at one end the panel may be joined directly to the base. Adjacent the head end of the envelope, however, the top panel is joined to the base through side panels such as the one shown at 16, which enables the top panel to be elevated at the head region from the base.

The top panel and the remainder of the envelope is made of light, waterproof material of the type that might be employed in the building of sleeping bags and tents.

To provide internal support in the envelope, at the head end thereof, inflatable bladder structure such as that shown at 2 is included. As shown in FIG. 4 the bladder structure comprises three bladder sections joined together, with two side sections normal to and joining with the end margins of a mid section. Each sec tion is provided with a separate valve, allowing for its inflation and deflation, the valve being shown for a side and the mid section in FIG. 4 at 9.

The bladder structure when inserted within the envelope functions to elevate the top panel adjacent the .head end of the envelope and to stretch out the side panels where such extend between the base and the top panel. In this way a space is provided within the envelope which receives the head of the occupant.

Provided in the top panel, in the sloping portion thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, are two windows given the reference numeral 5. These windows are covered with netting which prevents insects and small animals from coming into the interior of the device. Flaps 6 are provided to permit an occupant further to close off the windows whereby better to keep out rain, light etc. Adhesive fastener strips 4 and 7 secured to the top panel and to a flap, respectively (at the edge of the flap which is remote from the hinged margin of the flap), are provided to permit the flap to be folded back and secured in place, as shown in FIG. 1.

A cord 8 which extends through the top panel adjacent the top and bottom margins of a window, and which runs through a flap, enables manipulation of the flaps by an occupant within the envelope.

To provide entry into the device a zipper closed slot is present, which may be unzipped to open up the envelope. More specifically, such slot extends lengthwise along the top panel, from the head end approximately two-thirds the distance toward the foot end of the envelope. The opening or slot lies substantially midway between the two side margins of the top panel, and is closed by a zipper shown at 3. With the zipper pulled down, the slot opens up to provide easy access to the interior of the envelope, either for the reason of putting a sleeping bag therein or to permit an occupant to climb into the interior. The zipper is manipulatable from both inside and outside the envelope. With an occupant inside the envelope and the slot or opening closed by the zipper, the occupant is provided complete protection.

It should be obvious from the above that a highly usefull device is contemplated which provides an outdoor sleeper with a high degree of protection from the elements and insects and animal life. The device is not bulky, and is easily packed from place to place, and can provide protection both in cold as well as warm weather conditions.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A device for enveloping a sleeper to provide him protective covering comprising an elongated envelope with head and foot ends and having an elongated top panel therein closing off the top of the envelope,

inflatable bladder structure fittable within the envelope at said head end which on inflation extends across the envelope between its sides and operates to support said top panel in a region extending between the sides of the envelope with such in an elevated position,

an elongated zipper closed slot in said top panel extending from adjacent said region which is supported by said inflatable structure toward the foot end of said envelope, said slot on being opened affording entry into the device, and

at least one net covered window in said top panel disposed laterally of said slot and toward the foot end of the envelope from said region providing for the admission of air and light into the envelope.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said envelope at said head end includes side panels extending between side margins of the base in the envelope and said top panel, permitting said top panel adjacent said side margins of the envelope to be spaced above the base of the envelope, and said inflatable structure includes a pair of end sections which on inflation extend one on each side of the envelope adjacent each of said side panels.

3. A device for enveloping a sleeper to provide him protective covering comprising an envelope having a base and an elongated top panel secured to said base closing ofl' the top of the envelope, said envelope having a head end normally receiving and covering the head of an occupant, side panels in said envelope at said head end extending between the base and said top panel adjacent each of opposite side margins of the top panel,

inflatable structure insertable within the envelope including side sections adapted to extend along the envelope adjacent said side panels, said structure on being inflated being operable to elevate the top panel from said base with drawing out of said side panels, and

a zipper closed slot in said top panel of the envelope affording entry into the device, said slot extending from adjacent said head end between said side panels toward the opposite end of the envelope from its said head end.

4. The device of claim 3, which further includes a net covered window in said top panel affording the admission of air into the envelope disposed to one side of said zipper closed slot.

5. A device for enveloping a sleeper to provide him with protection comprising an elongated envelope having a base and an elongated top panel secured to the base closing off the top of the envelope, said envelope further including side panels, one on each side thereof, extending between the base and the top panel adjacent one end of the envelope enabling the top panel adjacent said side margins of the envelope to be spaced above the base of the envelope,

elevating structure, including side sections disposed adjacent each of said side panels and extending along the length of the envelope and an intermediate section extending between said side sections, operable to elevate said top panel from said base with drawing out of said side panels, and

a zipper closed slot in the top panel of the envelope extending longitudinally of the envelope from a region located between said side sections and adjacent said intermediate section of said elevating structure longitudinally of the envelope toward the end of the envelope opposite its said one end. 

1. A device for enveloping a sleeper to provide him protective covering comprising an elongated envelope with head and foot ends and having an elongated top panel therein closing off the top of the envelope, inflatable bladder structure fittable within the envelope at said head end which on inflation extends across the envelope between its sides and operates to support said top panel in a region extending between the sides of the envelope with such in an elevated position, an elongated zipper closed slot in said top panel extending from adjacent said region which is supported by said inflatable structure toward the foot end of said envelope, said slot on being opened affording entry into the device, and at least one net covered window in said top panel disposed laterally of said slot and toward the foot end of the envelope from said region providing for the admission of air and light into the envelope.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said envelope at said head end includes side panels extending between side margins of the base in the envelope and said top panel, permitting said top panel adjacent said side margins of the envelope to be spaced above the base of the envelope, and said inflatable structure includes a pair of end sections which on inflation extend one on each side of the envelope adjacent each of said side panels.
 3. A device for enveloping a sleeper to provide him protective covering comprising an envelope having a base and an elongated top panel secured to said base closing off the top of the envelope, said envelope having a head end normally receiving and covering the head of an occupant, side panels in said envelope at said head end extending between the base and said top panel adjacent each of opposite side margins of the top panel, inflatable structure insertable within the envelope including side Sections adapted to extend along the envelope adjacent said side panels, said structure on being inflated being operable to elevate the top panel from said base with drawing out of said side panels, and a zipper closed slot in said top panel of the envelope affording entry into the device, said slot extending from adjacent said head end between said side panels toward the opposite end of the envelope from its said head end.
 4. The device of claim 3, which further includes a net covered window in said top panel affording the admission of air into the envelope disposed to one side of said zipper closed slot.
 5. A device for enveloping a sleeper to provide him with protection comprising an elongated envelope having a base and an elongated top panel secured to the base closing off the top of the envelope, said envelope further including side panels, one on each side thereof, extending between the base and the top panel adjacent one end of the envelope enabling the top panel adjacent said side margins of the envelope to be spaced above the base of the envelope, elevating structure, including side sections disposed adjacent each of said side panels and extending along the length of the envelope and an intermediate section extending between said side sections, operable to elevate said top panel from said base with drawing out of said side panels, and a zipper closed slot in the top panel of the envelope extending longitudinally of the envelope from a region located between said side sections and adjacent said intermediate section of said elevating structure longitudinally of the envelope toward the end of the envelope opposite its said one end. 